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Learn how to build a bicycle frame and support a great cause

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Fancy learning how to build a bicycle frame and support a great cause at the same time? Well, The Bicycle Academy launched its crowd funding campaign today in a bid to raise £40,000.

So what’s The Bicycle Academy? In their words: “A place to learn how to make bikes. You keep the skills, your first bike goes to someone who really needs it.”

It’s the brain-child of Andrew Denham (organiser of the Cobble Wobble and founder of the Black Canon Collective mountain bike club), who’s teamed up with frame builder Brian Curtis. Together they’ll be based in Frome, Somerset.

In summary, the Academy will provide people with the skills and facilities to design and make their own bikes, with Curtis the tutor through evening classes or short weekday courses. As part of the learning process each student will make a frame designed specifically for use in Africa. Once graduated, students will be able to use The Bicycle Academy workshop to hone their skills and build their own frames.

“To many people bikes are a lifeline that make it possible to get food, water, work or an education,” said Andrew. “Together with the charity re~cycle we’ve started work on the design of a standard bicycle frame specifically for use in Africa.

“Every student who takes a course with us will build one of these frames which will then be made into a working bicycle before being distributed to those in need via partnering charities.”

By pledging money to support The Bicycle Academy, you can secure a place on one of the first courses. Here’s Andrew with more…

He said: “We’ve got the workshop, but haven’t got anything to fill it with – We need to buy brazing stations, a lathe, a pillar drill, jigs and a full complement of bike tools.

“By pledging £500 you’re pre-buying one of the first course places before they become available to anyone else, but that’s not the only way that you can help; we’re offering rewards for pledges from just £20 – and remember it’s all or nothing, your money will only be taken if we reach our funding goal. So, if we fall short it won’t cost you a penny, but if we reach the target then everyone will get their rewards and we’ll get to fill our workshop full of tools.”

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